Battery-charge indicator.



E. VAN WAGBNBN.

-' BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR.

APPLITION FILED OT.2Z,"1908. J

Patented Jan. 2,1912. l

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` y. l t12 l I y; l M @www E. VAN WAGENEN. BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR. APPLICATION FILED 6011.22, 190s.

Patented #151112, A191.2.

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IAM/A AW E. VAN WAGENBN. BATTERY CHARGE NDIGATOR,

APPLICATION FILEDOGTaZZ, 1908.

1,01 3,465, azena Jan. 2, 1912,

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van wAanNnN, oramtw von; N. Y., Assrenon. To GoULD sronaen narrar conm, fA-,coxronarxon or Naw Yom; Muur-omnes :marcaron I Specification oiLetters Patent.l Application filed October 22, 1908. Serial No. 458,578;

Patent-.ed Jan. 2,1912.

To all. whom it mayrconcam:

Be 'it' known that -I, EDWARD VAN WAG- ENEN, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of the city, county, and State of New York, Ahave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Battery-Charge Indicators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in battery charge indicators and has for its objects, the provision of arrangements by means of which the condition of charge of storage batteries may be ascertained at any `time and in which'the device indicating the condition of the battery charge may be placed at a remote distance itself. In prior devices it has been usual to place the indicator and all the appurtenant mechanism directly over the battery or at least very near to it in the battery room. Thus themechanism is subject to the acid fumes of the battery which act upon the metallic parts of the mechanism causing corrosionV and ina short time making the apparatus unfit for further use. `Also in4 prior devices in which the indicating mechanism ris near the battery in t-he battery room it is necessary for one to go into the battery roomif one wishes to ascertain the condition of charge of the battery.v If the battery is being watched by a dynamo attendant this may necessitate a long trip from the dynamo room to the battery room.A

By my'improvements the indicating a paratus is' not only removed from the d- 'teriorating acid fumes of the battery but the indicating apparatus may be placed'in the dynamo room directly upon the main switchboard of a plant, or in other convenient place, and-it is not necessary for one to enter the battery room to ascertain the condition of charge of the bxa'ttery. By

my improvements one is also enabled to ,ob-'

,tain a record showing the exact condition of charge .at .any moment, and the arrangements are conducive to economy and eiiciency of operation and construction. Further objects, features and advantages tion.

from y the battery s will more clearly appear froml the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification.. I,

In-the drawings, Figure .1 shows diagrammatically an arrangement embodying one form of my improvements. Fig. 2iis a detail vertical front View of the variabler-esistance arrangement shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3`is an edgeJ view of the same, partly in' sec- Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically a modified arrangement embracing another embodimentof certain of my improvements. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar yviews showing still further modified arrangements.

Referring yto Fig. 1 the reference numerals 1, 1, represent a substantially constant potential electrical circuit. The potential or electromotive force is supplied thereto from any substantially constant source, as a suitable battery or generator, not shown.

Connected in series in the circuit l., l, is a variable resistance devlce 2 having two high resistance wires 3. 3, connected in series by a member or bar 4 and held taut by springs 5. The member 4 is movable up and down the resistance wires 3, 3, and is supported by a wire 6 and spring 7. Suspended from the member 4 by'la wire 8 is a. displacer or hydrometer 9 which is adapted to hang wit-hin the liquid 1()` of a cell or vbattery 11. In. series with the variable resistance arrangement 2 in.the circuit 1, 1, is a resistance 12 of the high temperature coefficient sortv and which is designed\to prevent an, excess current inthe circuiti., 1.' Between the resistance 12 and the variable resistance vdevice 2, and in parallel with the latter is connected by the circuit 13,13, a voltmeter 14. The voltmeter 14 may be of -theordinary variety or of the sort known as millivoltmeters.

Referring to the details of the variable resistance arrangement shown .in Figs. 2

and 3, the high resistance wires 3' are each secured at one end to binding posts 15, 15, and it is at these ends that `the terminals vof the circuit 1, 1, are connected. .The other `and a ceiling spindle 2Q..

17 is a projecting support 1.) which carries 1 a thumb screw 2O having a thumb wheel Q1 The thumb screw 21 is locked in position by a thumb nut 23..

A guiding wire 2G attached to the upper endoipthe Spring 7 passes through the hole in the guidingr projection 24 and is arranged tobe coiled about the spindle QQ. 'This guiding projection Q4 and screw eye Z5 are arranged to hold the wires 8 and 2G in the proper position to always maintain the member 4 in contact with the wires 3.

In operation, the condition of charge of the battery isv indicated by the specific gravity of the liquid 10 in the battery and as the specific. gravity of the liquid changes the displacer or hydrometer 9 is given more or less buoyancy andis caused to move up or down in accordance with those' changes. TheseV movements cause simiiar'movcments of the har or member 4 thereby varying the lengths of wires 3, 3, which are in series in the circuit 1, 1. rl`his varies the resistance of the circuit 1, 1, at the left of the resistance 12 and consequently varies the voltage acrrss the circuit 13, 13, in accordance therewith. The voltmeter 14 indicates these changes and may be so graduated that the ampere hours charge or discharge given the battery may be directly read therefrom. By means 0'1" the thumb screw Q0 the height of the member 4 may be adjusted to adjust the reading of the meter 14 in the first instance. The base 17 is provided with a slot 27 through which passes a bolt 28, carrying a nut Q9. The bolt 2S is secured to a member 30 which carries the posts 16 so as to atford means fo adjusting the latter, which may he secured in the proper position by means of nut Q9. x

Referring to Fig. 4, l show a modified arrangement, but which` however, operates in a similar mannerito that shown in Fig. 1. The circuit 1, 1, displacer t), liquid 10, battery 11, resistance 1Q and circuit 13 are provided as before. l, however, provide a dif.

ferent variable resistance device which consists of a mercury bath 31 and a pivoted member 3Q carrying a plurality of metallic contact points 33 arranged to dip into thel mercury bath as the member 32 is oscillated about its pivot 34. The contact; points t33 are connected at. their upper ends by resistences 35. A spring 30, adjustable by thumb screw 37, holds or tends to hold thc member 32 in a retracted position with the contact points 33 out of the mercury. 'lhc displacpr or hydroincter t) is connected to the ineinber 32 by a wire 38 and one of the terminals projection 2l with a hole through it and a screw eye 25 :ire also provided. 'l he`` l of the circuit 1, 1, is connected to the inember at the pivot 34 which is electrically connected with the farthest resistance 35. I nstend of an ordinary voltmeter 14 I show ,in this modification a recording voltmeter l 3i) which may be of any well known type. l I t will also be understood that. the recording l l arrangements shown, if so desired. As the displacer E) moves up or down responsive to changes in the battery condition more or less of the resistances 35 are included in the circuit 1, 1. This varies the voltage across i the circuit 13, 13, and the recording meter registers the condition of the battery.

Fig. shows another modification in u) which the variable resistance consists of a tlexible resistance wire 40 arranged over a pulley 4-1, one end hanging vertically and supporting the displacer 9, and the other end connected to one side of the'circuit 1,1, at 42 and to a spring 43, adjustably secured `by a thumb screw 44. The other side of the circuit 1, 1, is connected to the wire 40 through the pulley 11. In this modification the meter 45 is connected in series'in the circuit. 1, 1, and an adjustable' shuntresistance 4t; is provided across the circuit 1, 1, between the meter -15 and the resistance 12. As the displarer S moves up" or down responsive to changes of battery condition the length df the wire 40 across thle'cireuit 1, 1., is varied and consequently the current tl'irough the meter 45 is varied accordingly. rl`he meter 45 will, therefore, indicate the condition of change of the battery.

Referring to Fig. (3, I show a variable resistance arrangement consisting of a straight suspension resistance wire 47 carrying the displacer Q and resiliently supported from a spring 48. The spring 48 is adjustably held' in position by a thumb screw 40. One terminal of the circuit 1, 1, is ixedly connected to the resistance wire 47 at 50. The other terminal of the circuit 1, 1, forms electrical connection with the resistance wire 117 by means of a resilient Contact terminal 51. As the displacer 9 moves up or down the length of wire 47 between the point 50 and the contact 51 varies, thus varying the resistance of the circuit 1, 1, to vary the voltage at the circuit 13, 13, and lcause the recording meter 3f) to make indications rcsponsive to variations in the batterv condition. Referring to Fig. 7, I show a somewhat different eml'iodiinent of certain of my improvements. ln this embodiment the displacer is suspended by a wire 52 from a I, spring 53 which in turn is suspended by a wire Vi-t arranged to be coiled upon a drum 'I The drum 55 may be rotated through l gears 5G and 57 by means of a motor 58. il Also mechanically connected to the shaft of jthe motor 58 and arranged to be rotated nietcr 39 may be used with any of the other p the terminal 76 is included in a. circuit 77 in j eny further chingo-of battery condition in contact 64 willfnontact with the iiieiii'be'r 66 the main 71 at 74. The other supply main Under these circumstances the motor will -have imparted 'arcertain number of rci'oluthereby is a cylinder 59 made of insulating material and having coiled thereupon a resistance wire 60. 61 represents a contact member carrying a contact pointwliicli is arranged to follow between the turns of the wire as the cylinder 59 rotates.' The contact member 6l may be arranged to slide along a guideway 62 as shown, or the contact member 61 may remain stationary and the cylinder 59 be given a longitudinal move ment as it is rotated. 63 represents a pivoted member carrying a double contact oint 64 -arranged to contact with either o ltwo contact pieces 65 and 66. The pivotcd niem-` ber 63 is oscillated by the movement of the Wire 52 which is connected to the memberI 63 opposite the end at which it is pivoted, by means of an extension 67. The motor 58 has two eld windings with one common terminal 68;' The other terminals to the field windings are respectively 69 and 70.' The switch lever 63 is arranged to connect either one of the terminals 691er 7 0 with`one of the supply mains 71, by means of circuits 72 and 73,. and ,contact members 65 and 66, the lever 63 being pivoted and connected to 75 is connected to the motor terminal 68. That portion of the resist-ance wire 60 between the contact point of member` 61 and series with a meter 78, the circuit 77 bein connected to the supply mains 71 and 75 as shown.

In operation if the battery condition should change so as to cause the displacer or hydrometer 9 to rise the wire 52 will bring theswitch contact 64 against the .Contact member 65 thereby throwing one of the motor fields in circuit to causethe motor `to rotate to unwindr the' wire on the drum 55a until the displacer i's brought back` substantially to its or' 'nal position thereby opening the circuit (2 'and stopping the motor.-

tons to the cylinder 59 thereby changing the length of resistance. .wire'60 which l "s'in circuit with 'the meter 78 to vary the entrent through the meter 7S. This will caus th'e iiioter to assume* a new reading whichy will 'be indicative of'ttie battery condition, and

the same direction will act to produce a correspondin chan e in the meter reading.' If the condition o the battery charge should change in the opposite direction the switch thereby reversingfthe field of the motor causing-it to wind the wire 54 unt 1 the dlsplacer has nought to its original position. Durfmg operation the motor., will rotate the ayliiider 5910 varythe ciir-V rent through the meteru78 in the opposite' direction so thatjthe'nieter will'a'gain pfui):`

erly indicate the condition of charge ofthe battery. These operations may be continued indefinitely so that the meter 7S Wili always indicate the condition of the battery. From the above it will be clear that l have provided arrangements which have all the advantages above pointed out and which are exceptionally useful-and etiicicnt for the purposes described. y Although I have described my improve-` inentsiii ,great detail and with respect to several modificationsl do not desire to be `limited thereto since various other niodiiications 'and vchanges will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; but,

Having fully and clearly'described my invent-ion, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. In an arrangement oi' the class described, the combination of a storage battery or cell, an electrical circuit, a recording me" ter connected across said circuit, two resist ances connected in said circuit, means ai ranged 'to bridge said resistances means for supporting said bridging means and ,a placer movable with said bridging means, said displacer operating responsive to variations in the specific gravity of the battery.

2. In a device of the class described, the 'combination of an indi'cator, an eiectrical A'Liincuith including a variable resistance ari'tangdment, said arrangementcdiisisting of two resistance wires connected in series in said (tircuit, and spring supported means for bridgng said wires, and a displacer operate ing said means.

I8. in an arrangement of the ,class de scribed, the combination of a storage b ittery, an indicator, an electrical circuit, including a variable resistance arrangement, said ar rangement embracing two resistance wires connected to said circuit, ai member' for bridging said wires electrically, and means for adjusting said member, andineans for -operating said member responsiveto changes of battery condition.

4: In an arrangement of the' cl; es described, the combination of a storage t attery, an indicator, an 'electrical circuit, 'im hiding a variable resistance "arrangement, said 'ari rangement embracingn aplurality of rcsist vance" wires, means for holding said wires taut-,and a spring supportedl member Afor electrically-bridging said wires, and a displacer for operatingsaid member respon sive to changes of battery condition.` jf

5. The combination of a storage'battery, a` substantially constant potential electrical circuit, a resistance in said circuit, a variable resistance arrangement iiilsaid circuit., an indicating meter connected across said circuit between said resistances, said va .iable resistance arrangement embracing two resistance -wires held taut by resilient means,

n sprf 5' suppored memfzep 01' electrcny" ,mime to `this specication, in the presence of brxdsmg anni wn'ezs. and mnns for adjusttwo subscrx-nng wltnesses.

` Im# mwmg tha Same re LDWA D VAN WAGENEN,

5 sumslfe 1:0' changes m the Conmwn of the VVltnesses:

battery. HARRY S. KOCH,

In testimony whereof, I have `signed my I I S. H. Evlmzrr, Jr. 

